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Clarets chief looks ahead to Friday night football

2023-03-30T13:00:35.163Z

KOMPANY PREVIEWS BLACK CATS TEST

Clarets chief looks ahead to Friday night football

2023-03-30T13:00:35.163Z

Clarets chief looks ahead to Friday night football

Boss Vincent Kompany is looking forward to returning to Turf Moor on Friday night as Burnley entertain Sunderland in the Sky Bet Championship live on Sky Sports.

It will be the first time the Clarets have played at home in three weeks after beating Wigan 3-0 last time out and Kompany is relishing the opportunity of playing in front of another sell-out crowd.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Kompany discussed the work that was done over the international break but insists himself and the squad are now ready for the final nine games remaining.

Kompany said: "We're ready. I'm looking forward to being back in action and returning to Turf Moor in front of our fans, we're all looking forward to it.

"It's a game at home and our fans have been waiting for this game, it's felt like a while since we were last here with the away games and then the break.

"The break was good for us for a few things. We've had a detailed look at the squad and simple things like planning pre-season and friendlies, types of things you can't do once every three days.

"But we're all back in the building now, except Lyle (Foster) who has had passport issues. We have nine games left now and I want as many people as possible training now.

"We’ve got a nice lead into the Middlesbrough game with no midweek match and then a game every three days, but we will be ready."

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Kompany gave an update on the squad injury list ahead of the meeting with Sunderland and explained that Lyle Foster will be the only member of the squad unavailable for Friday's clash.

Winger Manuel Benson returned from his lengthy spell on the side-lines at Hull City just before the international break, with Jay Rodriguez now training with the group and also available for selection after two months out.

The Clarets chief said: "Everyone is back and fit except for Foster who has had a little bit of an issue getting back, something to do with passports.

"It’s down to the South African authorities now, but he’s fit and healthy which is more important, he's the only player yet to come back.

“Other than that, we’ve got a fully available squad and still waiting a little bit on recovering Jay (Rodriguez), but it’s just now discussions about match fitness."

Sunderland come into the game with just one win in their last seven but Kompany had high praise for Tony Mowbray's side and believes the two team's have a 'similar DNA'.

"If football was a language we speak a similar language, there's many things they do that are similar.

"Their threat with the wingers and midfielders on the ball. The ability to switch play and the way they attack the box.

"We’re from a similar family of football and it’s in the DNA of both teams to go forward in games."